Joshua's response isn't just assigning them more land; he's challenging their complaint. By telling them to "cut down" the "wood country," he's highlighting that their inheritance includes undeveloped land that requires their active participation and effort to become truly theirs. The true issue isn't the size of their lot, but their willingness to labor and conquer what God has already given them.
And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) are complaining to Joshua that their allotted inheritance is too small for their large population. Joshua responds by challenging them to go and clear forested, unconquered lands occupied by the Perizzites and giants, implying their own perceived lack of space is due more to their inaction than the size of their portion. This exchange highlights the tension between the inherited tribal lands and the ongoing task of dispossessing the Canaanites, even as the tribes are settling.
Ever felt like you’re a big person in a small space? The tribes of Joseph voiced this exact frustration to Joshua.
The sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) came to Joshua feeling shortchanged. They complained that they were given only one portion and one lot, despite being a 'great people' blessed by the Lord (Joshua 17:14). This wasn't just about land size; it was about feeling their inheritance didn't match their potential or God's blessings.
Joshua's response is powerful. He doesn't immediately redraw the map or grant them more land. Instead, he challenges their perspective. He tells them that if they are truly a 'great people,' they have the capacity and responsibility to make room for themselves. This involves actively engaging with the land God has given them, even the undeveloped parts.
God's promises often require our effort. Joshua pointed the complaining tribes to a challenging, yet fruitful, path forward.
Joshua’s counsel was not to dismiss their complaint, but to redirect their energy. He told them to 'go up by yourselves to the wood country, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim' (Joshua 17:15).
This 'wood country' was likely undeveloped, rugged terrain, potentially inhabited by the remaining Canaanites (Perizzites and Rephaim, who were sometimes described as giants). It wasn't an easy, pre-cleared inheritance like some other tribal lands. It required hard work – cutting down trees, clearing land, and confronting any existing inhabitants. Joshua was essentially saying: your inheritance isn't just what's neatly laid out; it's also what you prayerfully and courageously work to possess and cultivate.
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The underlying message is that God provides the potential and the promise, but often requires our active participation to fully realize it. Complaining about limitations can blind us to the opportunities for growth and expansion that require our effort and faith.
Why would Joshua push them into difficult territory? It reveals a deeper truth about God's blessings and our growth.
Joshua’s instruction to venture into the 'wood country' and confront the Perizzites and Rephaim wasn't a punishment, but a pathway to true strength and expansion. The text highlights that the 'hill country of Ephraim is too narrow' (Joshua 17:15), implying that staying confined would limit them.
By engaging with this tougher territory, the tribes of Joseph would:
Joshua wasn't just assigning land; he was shaping a people. He was teaching them that a true inheritance from God isn't always about the easiest path, but about the journey that forges them into the people He intends them to be.
Understand the original words
Perizzi · Hebrew Noun
A general term for an ancient people group inhabiting Canaan, often associated with the indigenous population prior to the Israelite conquest.
Repha'im · Hebrew Noun
A group described in the Old Testament as giant-like, ancient inhabitants of the land, symbolizing formidable enemies that stood in the way of Israel's promised territory.
This verse highlights the tension between divine allocation (the lot) and human responsibility. The Joseph tribes received their land by lot but then complained it was too small, prompting Joshua to challenge them to conquer and cultivate the undeveloped, wooded areas within their borders, rather than expecting a fully cleared inheritance.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites under Joshua conquered the land of Canaan, defeating numerous kingdoms and city-states.
c. 1390 BC
Division of the Land
After the conquest, the land of Canaan was systematically divided by lot among the twelve tribes of Israel according to God's instructions.
c. 1390 BC— this verse
Tribal Land Disputes
Disputes arose among the tribes regarding the fairness and sufficiency of their allocated territories, leading to appeals to Joshua.
c. 1390 BC
Joshua's Counsel
Joshua addresses the grievances of the Joseph tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh), urging them to actively conquer and clear the wooded territories within their assigned lands.
This passage shows a similar pattern where the tribe of Manasseh (along with others) failed to drive out the inhabitants of their allotted land, resulting in those people dwelling among them.
1 Samuel 15:3This highlights God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites, contrasting with Manasseh's failure to fully dispossess the Canaanites, which led to future troubles.
Psalm 106:34-36This psalm directly recounts the Israelites' failure to destroy the nations in the land, leading to them being entangled with their ways and serving their idols, a consequence of not fully obeying God's command.
Romans 8:37While not about land, this verse speaks to believers being 'more than conquerors' through Christ, echoing Joshua's challenge to the people of Joseph to step out in faith and action to claim what God has given them.
calvinJoshua 17:11-18: "And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries."
- And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and…
bensonJoshua 17:15: "And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee."
Joshua 17:15 . If thou be a great people — Though Joshua was of their tribe he would not humour them, or abuse his authority to gratify their inclinations; but retorts their own argument: seeing thou art a great and numerous people, turn thy complaints into action, and e…
Joshua's response isn't just assigning them more land; he's challenging their complaint. By telling them to "cut down" the "wood country," he's highlighting that their inheritance includes undeveloped land that requires their active participation and effort to become truly theirs. The true issue isn't the size of their lot, but their willingness to labor and conquer what God has already given them.
The tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) are complaining to Joshua that their allotted inheritance is too small for their large population. Joshua responds by challenging them to go and clear forested, unconquered lands occupied by the Perizzites and giants, implying their own perceived lack of space is due more to their inaction than the size of their portion. This exchange highlights the tension between the inherited tribal lands and the ongoing task of dispossessing the Canaanites, even as the tribes are settling.
The tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) are complaining to Joshua that their allotted inheritance is too small for their large population. Joshua responds by challenging them to go and clear forested, unconquered lands occupied by the Perizzites and giants, implying their own perceived lack of space is due more to their inaction than the size of their portion. This exchange highlights the tension between the inherited tribal lands and the ongoing task of dispossessing the Canaanites, even as the tribes are settling.
"And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.”" — Joshua's response isn't just assigning them more land; he's challenging their complaint. By telling them to "cut down" the "wood country," he's highlighting that their inheritance includes undevelope…
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Last reviewed October 2026
